Ripple

Album: Blue Sky Mentality (2025)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "Ripple" was born out of a moment of support for a struggling friend. The best mate of Good Neighbours' Oli Fox was struggling with grief after losing his dad, and like so many in that situation, he instinctively pulled away. The song is about the small but meaningful ways we can help someone who feels like they're drowning in emotion. Because sometimes, all you can do is be there when they come up for air.
  • The title is fitting. Ripples start small, but they spread. That's the whole idea - how even the tiniest acts of kindness or connection can make a difference when someone is struggling. Oli recalled the moment that inspired the song during an interview with BBC Radio 1's Jack Saunders:

    "My family friend had lost his dad. And in that way of dealing with grief, he sort of like, took a step back from everyone in our friendship group. Just because I think he felt bad about burdening us with the topic. And then I had this deep conversation with him, and he was just like, 'I feel like I'm underwater at the moment. I don't want to drag anyone else down.' And then obviously, being a songwriter, I thought, that's quite a beautiful thing to say. But we spoke about it, and I was like, 'Look, whenever you're here and you come up for air, I'll be here, and we can just carry on as normal.'"

    That moment became the foundation of "Ripple," which was originally a quiet acoustic song until his bandmate Scott Verrill came in and transformed it with a beat that gave it an entirely new energy.
  • Good Neighbours performed "Ripple" live for the first time on September 6, 2024, in Philadelphia during their North American Headlining Tour. The performance quickly spread across social media, and after wrapping up the tour, the duo finalized the track and released it on January 24, 2025.
  • The accompanying music video, directed by Alex Lockett, uses metaphors such as a black brick in a swimming pool to depict the silent emotional battles we sometimes face and the importance of overcoming challenges together with support.

    Alex Lockett has contributed to projects such as Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011) and Tyrannosaur (2011) in the camera and electrical department. As a director, he has shot several videos for Bleachers, including "Alma Mater" and "Modern Girl."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Rickie Lee Jones

Rickie Lee JonesSongwriter Interviews

Rickie Lee Jones on songwriting, social media, and how she's handling Trump.

Amy Lee of Evanescence

Amy Lee of EvanescenceSongwriter Interviews

The Evanescence frontwoman on the songs that have shifted meaning and her foray into kids' music.

Dick Wagner (Alice Cooper/Lou Reed)

Dick Wagner (Alice Cooper/Lou Reed)Songwriter Interviews

The co-writer/guitarist on many Alice Cooper hits, Dick was also Lou Reed's axeman on the Rock n' Roll Animal album.

Amanda Palmer

Amanda PalmerSongwriter Interviews

Call us crazy, but we like it when an artist comes around who doesn't mesh with the status quo.

He Hit Me (And It Felt Like A Kiss): A History Of Abuse Pop

He Hit Me (And It Felt Like A Kiss): A History Of Abuse PopSong Writing

Songs that seem to glorify violence against women are often misinterpreted - but not always.

Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath, Heaven And Hell

Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath, Heaven And HellSongwriter Interviews

Guitarist Tony Iommi on the "Iron Man" riff, the definitive Black Sabbath song, and how Ozzy and Dio compared as songwriters.